Contents
Chapter Thirty
Overview
Essiya publicly claims victory in Dar al Mansi, carrying Dawoud’s body out and advancing to the third trial. Grief unleashes her magic until Arin steadies her and urges her to flee. A slip about the forbidden magic-mining myth alarms him. Together they devise a lure for their enemies and travel to Nizahl’s Citadel.
Summary
Night falls over Dar al Mansi as Essiya lifts Dawoud’s body and carries him through Essam Woods to the waiting crowd. She presents grisly trophies from the slain creatures, forcing the announcer to declare her advancement with Diya to the third trial. Avoiding Supreme Rawain and Vaun, she returns to the palace.
Alone, Essiya’s grief detonates into uncontrolled magic, wrecking her quarters as Hanim’s taunts needle her guilt. Arin enters, anchors her with promises of Jasadi burial rites for Dawoud, and holds her as she sobs. He urges her to run and take hidden safeholds, revealing rare vulnerability.
Under that pressure, Essiya blurts the taboo myth of magic mining, which sends Arin into panic; he demands she never speak of it again. Shaken, she pivots to strategy. Arin proposes a plan to draw out the Mufsids, Urabi, or Soraya during the third trial by spreading rumors of Diya’s failing health and weak security.
At dawn, among departing royals, Sefa and Marek insist on joining despite the risks. Arin assigns them to the lower villages with glamors to seed the falsehoods, while keeping soldiers dispersed to avoid telegraphing routes. On the road, Essiya confronts her memories of Dawoud and studies Arin’s meticulous maps, realizing the scope of his strategic genius.
Near Nizahl, Sefa and Marek split south to begin their part. Essiya and Arin pass through three colossal gates and arrive at the iron-and-steel Citadel, where the third trial and the baited confrontation are set to unfold.
Who Appears
- Essiya (Sylvia)Jasadi heir and Nizahl Champion; carries Dawoud’s body, unleashes grief-fueled magic, recalls forbidden myth, agrees to Arin’s plan, travels to Nizahl.
- Arin of NizahlNizahl Heir; comforts Essiya, urges her to flee, panics at mention of magic mining, devises plan to lure enemies, leads journey to Citadel.
- DawoudEssiya’s Jasadi friend; dies by suicide in the trial; his body is honored as she vows Jasadi rites.
- DiyaOrban Champion; rides with Essiya after the second trial, her supposed failing health is central to the lure.
- SefaEssiya’s ally; insists on joining, uses glamor, sent to lower villages to spread security rumors.
- MarekEssiya’s ally; insists on coming, disguised to seed rumors in southern provinces, warns Essiya to trust herself.
- Supreme RawainNizahl ruler; watches Essiya’s return from Dar al Mansi, implicated in Dawoud’s placement as her test.
- VaunOrban Heir; present at the announcement, irritated by Essiya’s advancement.
- JeruNizahl soldier; helps receive Dawoud’s body at Essam’s landing.
- WesNizahl soldier; assists Jeru in taking Dawoud’s body for care.
- Queen Hanan of OmalObserves departures; briefly meets Essiya’s gaze before the journey.
- FelixOmalian royal; hostile to Essiya but constrained after failures, watches the departure.
- SornOrban Heir; teased by Arin over ostentatious carriage colors.
- RenDriver; steers Sefa and Marek’s carriage toward southern villages near Nizahl.